Engine starting mechanism



R. P. LANSING 1,973,288

ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM Sept. ll, 1934.

Filed Feb. 15. 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @sul ATTORNEY Sept. 11, 1934. R, P. LANSING ENGINE STARTING MECHANISM 'Filed Feb. 15. 1931 2 sheets-snee*h lNvEN'roR l Bgaymond I? Lansing.

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 11, i934 ,UNrrs stares ATNT FFICE 1,373,288 ENGINE STARTING MECHNISM Application February 13, i931, `Serial No. 515,638

l?! Claims.

5 vide o starter of the above type embodying novel means for drivably connecting the starting apparatus to a member of the engine to be started. A further object is to provide a power driven Istarter of novel construction in which driving l engagement between the starter and engine is effected by radially movable friction members which are normally held in a retracted, non--- driving position.

Another object is to provide an electric starter employing radially movableA driving members so controlled and disposed with respect to the engine member which they drive that their release occurs automatically upon starting of the engine under its own power.

Another object is to provide in a starter of the type employing power means, such es an electric motor, novel unitary means for controlling both the driving connection between the engaging and engaged members and the energization of the motor.

A further object is to provide a novel electric starting mechanism having the armature shaft of the motor disposed substantially coaxially with the engine engaging member, and embodying means for rotating the engine engaging member at a much lower speed than that of 'the armature shaft of the motor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel engine starter of the electric type that is symmetrical in form and light in weight.

Two embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are f1) not designed as a definition of the limits of theinvention, reference being had for this purpose to the appended claims. In the drawings:

Fig. l is a longitudinal section of a device embodying the invention; i i

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view along th line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view illustrating one type of engaging mechanism which may be employed in accordance with the invention; and l Fig. 5 is a detail view, with parts broken away, illustrating one form of control means which may be employed in accordance with the invention.

(Cl. lim-.02)

Referring more particularly to the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it will be seen that the engine to be started isprovided with a rotatable shaft 5, which, if desired, may be integral with or secured to the crankshaft of the engine; or it may be an extension of the crankshaft, or a member drivably associated therewith.

Novel starting or cranking means are associated with rotatable member 5 for developing and transmitting a starting torque to said member whereby the engine may be cranked. As shown, such means include a housing 6 having suitable means 7 associated therewith for engagement with a flange 8 provided on an electric motor housing 9, said housing 6 being likewise provided with a flange l0 for securing the same to the crankcase of lthe engine, a portion ci said crankcase being shown at ll. rlihe electric motor, which is of any suitable construction, is provided with an armature shaft l2 having a central bore for a purpose to be set forth hereafter, and a laterally extending reduced portion 13 which is rotatably mounted as by means of suitable bearing 14 in the transversely disposed wall l5 ex tending across motor housing 9.

Suitable means for reducing the relatively high speed of rotation of the armature shaft so as to obtain a more suitable cranking speed at the point of connection with the engine member 5, will now be described. Drivablysecured to the reduced portion 13 of the armature shaft is a disc or spider 16 having a centrally disposed hub 17 surrounding the shaft l2 and adapted to rotate therewith by virtue of the provision of lreys i9. The disc or spider 16 is adapted to carry a plu-1 rality oi planetary pinions (preferably 3) each of said pinions comprising a hub 22 having gear teeth 23 cut thereon at one end and teeth 24 at the other end, the number of teeth 23 being prei@ erably less than that of the teeth 24. Three equally spaced openings are preferably provided in disc or spider 16, through each of which extends one of such planetary pinions or gears, the gears being mounted in operative position by means of bolts 26 extending through plates 16, the headed ends of said bolts having engagement with a ring 27 and the opposite ends being member and bolt 26. Plates 16 and 27 are rigid- A ly retained in spaced relation by a suitable number .of bolts 34 and spacer sleeves 3'5.

Cooperating with the set of gears 23 is astationary internal gear 38 which is secured in place between flange 8 and the outer edge of section 6 by the above mentioned screws 7. 'Ihe teeth of the gear 24 on the opposite end of the hubs 22 are adapted to mesh with a movable internally toothed gear 40 having a hub secured to a hollow drive shaft 41 by suitable means 42, the forward end of the shaft 41 being provided with similar means 43 for rigidly retaining the hub 45 of the rotatable disc 46 constituting part of the novel engine engaging means now to be described.

Novel means are provided for operatively connecting the drive shaft 41 and disc 46 to the engine member 5, said means preferably embodying a plurality of radially movable elements adapted to effect frictional driving engagement with the inner circumferential surface of a cylindrical member or drum 48 to transmit starting torque thereto.

As illustrated, there are preferably two such radially movable elements 50 and 51, pivotally mountedon studs 52 and 53 respectively, these studs being located in openings provided in disc 46. These elements 50 and 51 are of a shape resembling a sector, on the arcuate rims of which are provided correspondingly shaped plates 54 and 55 to which are aixed bands 56 and 57 of suitable friction material, the curvature of these plates and bands being such as to cause them to register properly with the inner surface of drum 48 upon radial movement from their nori mal positions shown in Fig. 1.

Novel means are provided to move the members 5() and 51 outwardly in a radial direction, and into driving contact with the surface of drum 48, and also for causing such action to occur as an incident to the energization of motor 10, the action being preferablyso timed in relation to such energization that the energizing circuit of the motor is closed when, but not until, the frictional surfaces 56 and 57 have established contact with the inner surface of the drum 48, the purpose of this time sequence being to insure instantaneous transmission of suiiicient driving torque to the drum 48 and shaft 5 as soon as the motor 10 is energized. For this purpose the short concave surfaces of elements 50 and 51 adjacent the axis of rotation of the starter elements, are provided with outwardly turned lugs or flanges 59 and 60 adapted to be engaged by a conical cam or wedge 61 actuated by a lever 65 pivotally secured to a bracket 67 and carrying at its lower end a shifter yoke 68 engaging a rod 69 between collars 70.and 71, the rod 69 being a horizontally disposed rod extending longitudinally through the bore of armature shaft 12 and continuing coaxially through the hollow drive shaft 41 and terminating in the wedge 61, above referred to, this wedge being preferably integral therewith. A spring 73 is preferably provided in a position to exert pressure against the collar 70 to maintain the rod 69 normally in the position shown in Fig. 1, the opposite end of the spring being seated on spring seat 75 which also acts as a guidev for the rod 69 and a closure means for the opening in the wall 76 of the motor casing 9.

The control means for conjointly operating the motor and meshing means further comprises a second lever 79 pivoted intermediate its length, as shown at 80, to the second finger of bracket 67, the lever 79 being further provided with the projecting arm 81, which with the right hand portion 82 of the lever, forms a bell crank member normally maintained in the position indicated in Fig. 1 by the force of tension spring 84 secured to the outer end of arm 81 and to the upwardly extending support 85, mounted on the bracket 67. A link 89 is fastened to the bell crank arm 81 to indicate any suitable means for actuating the same either manually or otherwise.

From the goregoing description it is evident that upon movement of link 89 to the left (Fig. 1), as by manual operation, the bell crank arm 81 will move to the left thereby extending spring 84 and causing a clockwise rotation of lever 65 by virtue of its end 65a being forced to the right by the nger 83 on the end of arm 82. This oscillation of lever 65 will in turn cause a shifting of rod 69 to the left by the action of shifter yoke 68 against collar 70. This longitudinal movement of the rod 69 to the\left will compress the spring 73 and force the wedge 61 between the flanges '59 and 60 of the sectors 50 and 51,

causing the latter to move radially into position an incident wto the operation of the shifting means above described, and by elements associated therewith and comprising a switch member 96 of any suitable construction including an outwardly projecting operating button 91 located in the path of the outer end of the lever 79, the lever 79 being so disposed that it strikes the button 91 only after the rod 69 has been moved to the left sufficiently to cause driving engagement between the friction surfaces 56 and 57 and the drum 48, the surface 65a at the end of lever 65 being suitably shaped to permit the completion of the switch closing movement. As a result of the combined shifting and motor energizing action above described, a starting torque will be transmitted to the drum 48, and in consequence thereof, the engine will be cranked and started under its own power.

Tracing the path of such torque transmission, the same will be seen to pass from the armature shaft 12 to the spider 16, the rotation of the spider 16 causing the planetary gears 23 and hubs 22 to revolve about the fixed internal gear 38, and at the same time rotate about their own axes, as a result of which rotation the gears 24 on the opposite ends of hubs 22 will revolve about the annulus gear 40 with which they mesh and, due to the driving connection between the gear 40 and the hollow drive shaft 41, there will result a corresponding rotation ofthe plate 46 and the driving sectors 50 and 51 mounted thereon.

After the engine has been started by the operation just described, springs 84 and 73 act to return the parts of the control linkage to their respective positions as shown in Fig. 1.

A ,further novel feature of the invention is the provision of means whereby the starter parts are fully protected against return torque transmission due to starting of the engine under its own power. Such means consists of so constructing and mounting the elements 50 and 51 that when the engine starts, slipping will occur between friction surfaces 56 and 57 on the one hand, and the surface of drum 48 on the other. This operation is effective by the use of springs 115 and 116 (Fig. 2) fastened at their ends to the members 50 and 51, as shown in Fig. 2, the points of attachment being so located with respect to the pivot studs 52 and 53 and their axes of rotation, that they exert a resilient pressure in opposition to the centrifugal force resulting `to become the driving element, the friction surfaces 56 and 57 are rendered ineffective to maintain driving connection.

Hence it is apparent that a starting of the engine under its own power will cause a withdrawal of the elements and 51. 4Prior to such time, however, the shape and method of mounting the sector elements 50 and 51, as above described, are such as to render them self-energizing or self-Wrapping-that is, 'to cause them to grip the drum 48 with a force which increases from the normal engaging `force to a much greater maximum, which force is a cumulative resultant of the centrifugal force due to rotation, plus the force tending to turn the sector elements about their pivots 52 and 53, respectively. ,The latter force, by reason of the placing of the pivots eccentrically, as shown, is exerted directly against the surface o f the drum 48.

In the embodiment above described, it will be noted that the switch is operated and the motor energized to actuate the engine starting apparatus subsequent to the time of actuation of the meshing or engaging members. If, however, it is desired to first develop a starting torque in the motor and transmit the same to the driving elements 50 and 51, creating therein a tendency (opposed by a restraining means) to move radially outward into driving engagement with the drum 48, the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 may be employed.

Referring to the last mentioned figures, it will be seen that this alternative construction -comprises a mechanism constantly tending to effect operative driving engagement with the drum 48,

.in conjunction with means normally preventing said mechanism from following such tendency, and a manually operable device for rendering said preventing means ineffective to oppose the tendency, whereupon engagement is effected through the centrifugalaction exerted upon said engaging mechanism. In this embodiment, sector elements 50 `and 51 have associated therewith a circular plate or clamp 93 provided with a projecting annular rim 94 adapted to surround and enclose the ngers or iianges 59 and 60, thereby preventing radial movement of the members 50 and 51 to effect driving engagement with the surface of drum 48 so long as the clamp 93 remains in the position shown in Fig. 4; the clamp being normally held in this position by the provision of a rod 69 and spring 73' corresponding in function and method of operation to the corresponding elements 69 and`73 described with reference to Fig. 1, the only difference in construction, as illustrated, being the provision of a nut 95 engaging a threaded end on the rod 69, instead of the integral construction shown in Fig. 1.

As in the embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2, means are provided through which the operator may, when desired, produce a driving engagement with the drum 48 and thereby cause a transmission of starting energy to the crankshaft of the engine. When such engagement is desired, the operator by suitable means (not shown) exerts a pressureon a rod 100 (Fig. 5) causing the same to swing lever 101 to the left about its pivot 102 which supports the said lever on bracket 103.-

Lever 101 is provided with a bifurcated construction, as indicated at 104, adapted to embrace the slotted portion of rod 69 and actuate same through the intermediary of the collars '75 and 71' to produce a shifting thereof to the left `and consequent release of the plate 93 from its clamping relation to the sector elements 59 and 60. Prior to such time, however, the action of the coil spring 107, which transmits the pressure exerted on the lever 101, will move striker 108 into engagement with button 109 to operate switch 90 which, in this embodiment, has the same function and method of operation as switch 90 of Fig. 1. After the switch 90' has been closed, further movement of the lever 101 to the left to shift rod 69' is possible by virtue of the sliding fit between the pin 111 and the hole in member 101 receiving this pin.

From vthe foregoing it is apparent that in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the switch 90 is rst'actuated to energize the motor thereby causing rotation of the sector f elements 50 and 51 and developing a centrifugal force tending to move these parts radially outward into engagement with the drum 48. Such engagement is not possible until the further movement of the lever 101 causes compression of spring '73' and a longitudinal shifting of rod 69 to release clamp 93. When such release occurs, the sector elements are free to effect driving engagement as above explained. There is thus provided a novel engine starter of the power operated type which is simple and rugged in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, efficient in operation and possesses the advantage that a large driving surface is provided which tends to become more effective following the initial engagement, and which utilizes the centrifugal force developed for maintaining the effectiveness `of the driving action.

An important advantage to be derived from the use of the presentl invention resides in the fact that the operator may choose the Ytime for effecting driving engagement with the engine. The invention also eliminates the .necessity of employing longitudinally movable jaw or clutch members which, because of the necessity of rotating and moving longitudinally at the same time, are

subject to breakage or injury or undue strain, besides being more complicated in construction and expensive to manufacture and install.

It will be obvious that the invention is not limited in form to either of the embodiments above described nor is it limited to the specific use described, but is capable of a variety of mechan-l ical embodiments and uses. For example, any suitable arrangement of gears may be substituted for the specific gear train shown and described, and other clutch locking and lock releasing means may be employed in place of the means shown and described. Hence it is within the scope of the invention to actuate the lo'ck releasing rod 69 and the meshing rod 69 automatically or by power, instead of manually. The same is true of the means for initially energizing the power element. Also the invention may be used in devices other than internal combustion engines, as above noted.

-It is to be understood that various other changes may be made in the form, detals of construction, arrangement of the parts, and the uses to which they are applied, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope4 of the appended claims. f

What is claimed is:-

1. In an engine starting mechanism of the type embodying a motor in which starting energy is developed for transmission to a member of the engine to be started, means for drivably connecting said motor and said engine member to transmit starting torque to said engine, said means comprising a member rotatable with said motor, positive driving connections between said motor and rotatable member, and means mounted on said rotatable member adapted to move radially into frictional engagement with said engine member.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with friction driving elements of the self-energizing type, of a rotatable member of the engine to be started, said rotatable member being adapted to be engaged by said friction elements,

' means for controlling the movement of said friction elements into engagement with said rotatable member, said controlling means comprising a member movable at right angles to the plane of movement of said friction elements and adapted to control said friction elements by engagement therewith, and means for initially energizing said friction elements comprising a motor drivably connected to said friction elements.

3. In an engine starting mechanism, in combination with a rotatable member of the engine to be started, a motor coaxially disposed with respect to said rotatable member, means movable radially to drivably connect said motor and said rotatable member, and means for controlling the radial movement of said last named means comprising a member movable at right angles to the plane of movement oi said radially movable means, said radially movable means being so disposed with respect to said motor and controlling means that the driving connection between the starting mechanism and the engine is caused to yield whenever the torque generated by the engine exceeds that of the driving motor.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination with frictiondriving elements, a member adapted to be rotated thereby, means for rotating said friction elements comprising a motor and positive driving connections between said motor and said frictional elements, means for moving said friction elements into engagement with said first named member, and common control means for said last named means and said motor.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination with friction driving elements, a member adapted to be rotated thereby, means for rotating said friction elements comprising a motor and positive driving. connections between said motor and said friction elements, and releasable means for holding said friction elements in nonengagingposition, said friction elements being movable by centrifugal action into engagement with said first named member upon actuation of said releasable means.

6. An engine starter including a drive having a driving member adapted to be moved radially with respect to a member of the engine to be started and to engage said engine member, an'

with respect to a member of the engine to be started and to effecting a self-energizing engagement with said engine member, an electric motor and an energizing switch therefor, means for drivably connecting said motor and driving member including a hollow shaft, common means for dissimultaneously operating said driving member and switch, said means including a longitudinally movable rod disposed in coaxial alignment with said driving and engine members and extending through said hollow shaft, and a lever adapted to actuate said switch and move said rod longitudinally.

8. An engine starting mechanism comprising in combination with a rotatable member of the engine to be started, power means, means for actuating said power means to develop starting energy therein, speed responsive mechanism driven by said power means and tending to move into engagement with said engine member to transmit said starting energy thereto, resilient means normally restraining said speed responsive mechanism, and means operable at the will of the operator for rendering said restraining means ineffective to prevent said engagement.

9. An engine starting mechanism comprising in combination with a rotatable member of the engine to be started, power means, means for actuating said power means to develop starting energy therein, speed responsive mechanism driven by said power means and tending to move into engagement with said engine member to transmit said starting energy thereto, means including a hollow shaft forming an unyielding driving connection between said power means and speed responsive mechanism,- and means operable at the will of the operator for rendering said speed responsive mechanism effective to engage said engine member, said last named means extending through said hollow shaft.

10. An engine starting mechanism comprising in combination with a. rotatable member of the engine to be started power means, means for actuating said power means to develop starting energy therein, speed responsive mechanism driven 12() by said power means and tending to move into engagement with said engine member to transmit starting energy thereto, means normally restraining said speed responsive mechanism, means operable at the will of the operator for rendering said restraining means ineffective to preventsaid engagement, and common control means for said last named means and said power means.

11. In an engine starting mechanism of the type embodying an electric motor and an energizing circuit therefor, said motor having a hollow shaft for transmitting the torque developed therein to a member of the engine to be started, means movable radially with respect to said hollow shaft to effect self-energizing engagement with said engine member, and means for controlling the radial movement of said last named means, said control means comprising a rod extending through said hollow shaft and operable as' an incident to the closing of said energizing circuit.

12. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with the member of an engine to be started of power means, friction members adapted to engage the engine member, meansdrivably 'connecting the friction members and power 145 means, manuallyv operable means for moving said friction elements into driving engagement with the engine member, and yielding means normally effective to hold said friction members in non- `driving position.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with the member of an engine to be started of a motor, friction members radially movable to engage the engine member and yieldingly transmit torque thereto, said friction members being drivably connected to said motor, and common means for controlling the energization of the motor and the engagement of said friction members.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rotatable hollow shaft and a cylindrical member disposed in coaxial alignment therewith, a plurality of radially movable elements rigidly secured to said hollow shaft, power means for rotating said shaft and radially movable elements, means for moving said elements into frictional engagement with said cylindrical member comprising a rod extending through said hollow shaft and movable along the axis thereof, and resilient means acting through said rod to hold said radially movable elements normally disengaged from said cylindrical member.

15. In a starter of the class described, in combination with power means, engine driving members movable radially into driving engagement with a member of the engine to bestarted, means forming an unyielding driving connection between said power means and said engine driving member, and means including a manually operable member movable at right angles to the plane of movement of the said driving members for controlling the radial movement of the latter, said manually operable member being operable as an incident to the energizaton of said power means.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rotatable hollow shaft and a cylindrical member disposed in coaxial alignment therewith, a plurality of radially movable elements, a motor for rotating said shaft and radially movable elements, means for moving said elements into frictional engagement with said cylindrical member comprising a rod extending through said hollow shaft and movable along the axis thereof, and common control means for said rod and motor.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination with a rotatable hollow shaft and a cylindrical member disposed in coaxial alignment therewith of a plurality of radially movable elements, electrically energized means for rotating said shaft and radially movable elements, and means for moving said elements into frictional engagement withr said cylindrical member comprising a rod extending through said hollow shaft and movable along the axis thereof.

RAYMOND P. LANSING. 

